Dorchester County Public Schools -

If hosting a very special occasion, it's nice to spiff up your environment for your guests, and the same was true at Cambridge-South Dorchester High School for Graduation Day thanks to the school’s Interact Club. Twenty members of the Club rolled up their sleeves and got to work cleaning up the outside of the school’s campus to look tidy and welcoming for the VIP’s of the day: graduates, their families, and friends. Thank you to Interact Club members Tyler Sears (Vice-President), Christina Hyde (Secretary), Kimora Stanley-Guzman, Faith Lyles, Gabby Blake, Landon Ludolph, Madison Jackson, Amanda Holotik, Arabella Collison, Evelyn Windsor, Ay’Liya Taylor, London Boyd, Katie Wheatley, Ni’Joya Davis, Zynir Henry, Christian Thomas, Azeyera Johnson, Trynaty Johnson, Emily Parrone, and Bre’Airah Fassett, and advisor Mr. Michael Tremper. #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Education will be held on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at the Central Office of the Board of Education, 700 Glasgow St., in Cambridge, with the open session beginning at 6:00 pm. The agenda and related documents will be found online via Board Docs on the Dorchester County Public Schools website at www.dcps.k12.md.us. The public is welcome to attend. If you are unable to attend but would like to submit comments electronically to be included in the minutes, email them to comments@dcpsmd.org by 2:00 pm on the date of the meeting. The meeting will be livestreamed at https://townhallstreams.com/towns/dorchesterboe.

Today was “Orange Out”, honoring Miss Lizzi Cockey, Special Education teacher at Sandy Hill Elementary School, whose life was tragically cut short last month in a road traffic accident. Miss Cockey was a proud member of the Orange Hive at Sandy Hill, and Sandy Hill colleagues and students dressed in orange today to celebrate her life and contributions to the school. Thank you, too, to staff and students in other Dorchester County schools who also wore orange today in support of Sandy Hill. Mr. Fenstermaker, former Sandy Hill teacher, kindly returned to the school today with his drone to capture photos of all the Sandy Hill Bees remembering Miss Cockey by working together to create her name - “LIZZI”. #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

The Dorchester County School Board is pleased to announce ongoing progress in our Superintendent Search process. Our partnership with HYA Search Associates has been fruitful as we received 37 qualified applications from around the country, with the largest number coming from right here in Maryland. Using the leadership profile that we constructed from the voice of the community that we received from over 900 county residents via the online survey and community visioning meetings, HYA presented a slate of 10 top candidates. The Board worked collaboratively to refine that list down to the top 4 and conducted in depth interviews with each of them. From those interviews, the Board made the difficult decision to refine it down to a final two candidates for more in-depth interviews and presentations to the Board. Once we reach a final consensus of the Board, we will make an offer to the top candidate and look to make an announcement of our new Superintendent in early June, with an official start date of July 1. The Board opted to make this a confidential search to ensure that we get the very best candidates, with no impact on their current roles. The Board wants to express our appreciation again to the community for their engagement and voice in this process. The criteria that we have used through this entire process has come directly from that voice of the community. We look forward to our final selection to represent the entire community and lead DCPS into the future that our Students, Parents, Educators, and Community deserve.

There was laughter, hugs, and a few tears as our Seniors returned to their elementary schools one last time shortly before their graduation this past week. Both C-SD and North Dorchester High School have the tradition of offering the graduating Seniors an opportunity to return to their elementary school to revisit old times and just-a-tiny-bit-older teachers, as well as inspire the elementary kiddos. This is what the visit looked like for NDHS soon-to-be-grads who had attended Vienna Elementary School; for many it was their first time back since leaving 5th grade in 2017. And to think, this is where it all began for the Class of 2024 . . . #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

There will be a Special Meeting of the Board of Education to be held on Monday, June 3, 2024, at the Board of Education building, 700 Glasgow St., in Cambridge. The Open Session will begin at 5:45 pm. The agenda can be found online via Board Docs on the Dorchester County Public Schools website at www.dcps.k12.md.us. The Open Session will be livestreamed at https://townhallstreams.com/towns/dorchesterboe.

Who are these people, celebrating their excitement for (the last day of) state testing? These are just a few of our School Testing Coordinators (STCs), members of the school staff who have a particular expertise in the many, many, many rules and instructions governing the admission of school tests to ensure the validity of the data – all while still discharging their other school responsibilities. Testing is now over for the spring, and we would like to thank students for their participation, families for ensuring their kiddos were well rested and punctual to school on testing days, and the STCs and their fearless leader, Supervisor of Accountability and Assessment Erin Fitzgerald, for working to make testing season run as smoothly as possible: C-SD: Nichole Horton and Lauren Blades Choptank Elementary: Chelsea Cathcart and Aimee Cammarata Hurlock Elementary: Phylicia Smith and Opie Marshall Mace’s Lane Middle School: Jessica Dulin and Samantha Moulton Maple Elementary: Ashley Jones and Chloe Hackett North Dorchester High School: Erin Moore and Jackie Bennett North Dorchester Middle School: Adam Wilson and Linda Barnes Sandy Hill Elementary: Mary Silva and Angel Greene South Dorchester School: Jamie Willey and Diana Robbins Vienna Elementary: Shane Abbott and Renee LeMire Warwick Elementary: Amanda Hubbert and Janelle Koski #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

Introducing the Co-Valedictorians and Salutatorian of Cambridge-South Dorchester High School’s Class of 2024! Co-Valedictorians and twins Luke and Wil Reinbold tied for the highest grade point average in their class – calculated to the hundredth of a point! However, from here their paths will diverge. Luke is heading to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s aviation program with the goal of becoming a professional pilot. Wil is off to major in biological sciences at the University of Delaware as a first step towards becoming a dermatologist. Zy’aye Bell earned the second-highest grade point average in the Class of ’24 and was rewarded with Salutatorian honors. Next year, Zy’aye will be attending the University of Maryland College Park’s nursing program on a full ride scholarship. Congratulations, Luke, Wil, and Zy’aye, on your outstanding academic success! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

Introducing the Valedictorian and Salutatorian of North Dorchester High School’s Class of 2024! Fatima Kaleem has been named Valedictorian, having earned the honor with the highest grade point average in the graduating class. Fatima began her DCPS career at Vienna Elementary School and intends to continue her education next year at NYU, studying biology with the goal of a career in medicine. Salutatorian honors, for the second-highest grade point average, go to Ta’tyana Maradiaga. Ta’tyana is heading to the University of Maryland, College Park next year, and is also planning to major in biology. She went to elementary school at Hurlock Elementary. Congratulations on your academic achievements, and keep flying high! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

The Mace’s Lane Middle School chorus and band came home from Hershey Park last week with a lot more than chocolate! Their performance at the Music in the Parks competition earned them the Esprit de Corps Award, recognizing the school displaying the best attitude of positive support and outstanding personal behaviors; this was in addition to third place trophies earned in each of their respective categories. Congratulations to the youngsters who represented their school and county so well, and to their teachers, Mr. Dontre Diaz (chorus) and Mr. Stephen Pinder (band)! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

If you were in the Long Wharf area during this past Memorial Day weekend, you couldn’t have missed the annual “Flags for Heroes” American flag display, a project of the Rotary Club of Cambridge. This year, C-SD students from the Interact Club, a high-school organization sponsored by Rotary, helped Rotary members and others with the installation of the display. Thank you to London Boyd, NiJoya Davis, Laila Insley, Trinity Malone, Madison Robbins, Emma Robinson, and Camryn Russum, along with advisors Mr. Tremper and Ms. Newton, for pitching in. The display is sponsored by community members who donate to have a placard put on a flagpole recognizing a loved one who served, with funds raised going to help veterans, first responders, and other Rotary programs. The display will be up until Flag Day, June 14. #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

Memorial Day 2024. Remember and honor.

This is a reminder that Dorchester County Public Schools and offices will be closed on Monday, May 27, 2024, in observance of Memorial Day.

At a recent meeting, The Rotary Club of Cambridge recognized graduating seniors from both C-SD and North Dorchester High School for service to school and community. Congratulations to the two students chosen as Students of the Semester, a recognition given for work in school and the community which often goes unnoticed. From C-SD, La’Shaun Moody received the honor, and Jeremy Butler-Taylor was the choice from NDHS. The annual Service Above Self awards were also announced. These go to one male and one female soon-to-be-graduate who excelled not only in academics but also in community service during their high school years. C-SD recipients were Jayonna Austin and Wilhelm Reinbold. At North Dorchester High, two young men tied in their number of service hours and so both were recognized for the male award: William Hubbard and James Howell; Jaden Condon was also honored. Also on hand were C-SD Assistant Principal Amanda Robinson, NDHS School Counselor Ami Parks, and Interim Superintendent Dr. Jymil Thompson. Rotarian Phil Reed is also pictured. Congratulations to all of the students, and thanks to Rotary for their support! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

In memory of Elizabeth Marie Cockey, 8/6/2000-5/15/2024, teacher, colleague, and friend. In the brief time she graced our lives, Lizzi Cockey illuminated Sandy Hill Elementary School with her passion for learning and dedication to her students. While today may be her final goodbye, her legacy lives on through those lives she touched and the memories of all fortunate enough to know her. Thank you, Lizzi. Dorchester County Public Schools

This past weekend, Dorchester County Public Schools Pupil Personnel Worker Dr. Charles Pinkett received the Distinguished Service Award from the Maryland Association of Pupil Personnel! Dr. Pinkett is completing his 29th year with DCPS and has supported countless youngsters throughout those years, both as a PPW and in other capacities, professional and personal. Congratulations, Dr. Pinkett, on your well-deserved recognition! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

Career Day isn’t just for the big kids! Many of our elementary schools invite community partners to introduce possible career directions for our younger students. On Friday, it was Choptank Elementary School’s turn, with 2nd through 5th graders learning about fields as diverse as healthcare, banking, law enforcement, and more. We’re grateful to these community-minded businesses and organizations for taking the time to meet our students: ALL4LOVE Cambridge Police Department Dorchester County Emergency Services Dorchester County Health Department Dorchester County Public Library I’d Rather Johns Hopkins Community Partners Rescue Fire Company Shore United Bank #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

Thank you to the Dorchester County Public Schools team of Speech Language Pathologists who work with students to improve their communication skills, thus improving their academic progress and building confidence! Erin Beelen, C-SD, DCTC, Vienna Elementary School Gabby Leclerc, Hurlock Elementary School, North Dorchester High School Beth McDonald, Sandy Hill Elementary School Taylor Palamaras, Mace’s Lane Middle School, South Dorchester School Carol Lee Russ, Infants and Toddlers Larissa Street, Maple Elementary School Nicole Toye, Warwick Elementary School, North Dorchester Middle School Natalie Trice, Choptank Elementary School, South Dorchester School Ren Singh, Choptank Elementary School Morgan Widdowson, Infants and Toddlers #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

Congratulations to the C-SD scholar athletes who will continue their sport in college! • Mackenzie Morrissette is heading to Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia, where she will play lacrosse. She’s pictured here with her parents Cat and Dave Morrissette, coaches Brooke Webster and Lynn Shoop, and DCPS Athletic Director Casey O’Bier. • Blake LaBelle is celebrating becoming a Bobcat, playing football at Frostburg State University. He is surrounded by his Viking football coaches and his parents. • Aaron Evans (not pictured) will also play football during his collegiate career at Misericordia University in Dallas, Pennsylvania. Good luck, and may the scores always be in your favor! #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS

North Dorchester High School students had the opportunity to explore numerous career options at last week’s Career Expo Networking Event at the school! Organized by Career Coach Ms. Audrey Roberts, students from freshmen to seniors were able to meet and ask questions of representatives from a variety of fields., as pictured below. Also pictured is Del. Chris Adams, Career Coach Audrey Roberts, and Chamber of Commerce President Bill Christopher. Thank you to those businesses who attended and/or contributed in some way to its success: Del. Chris Adams Chesapeake College Coast Guard Delaware Elevator Department of Labor – Amanda Burrows Department of Natural Resources – Harriet Tubman State Park Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce East New Market Fire Department Harvest Drive Greenhouses Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Marines Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Maryland State Police Maryland Youth Apprenticeship Mountaire Shore Rivers Tuckahoe State Park UMES – Nadine Burton WHCP – Amanda Tilghman Workforce Development #AllHandsOnDeckDCPS